Mike Downie

Speaking topics

Presentations listed below include in-person and virtual keynotes, as well as workshops, fireside chats, and other presentation formats.

• Telling Canada’s Story

  For 40 years, Mike Downie’s brother Gord Downie and The Tragically Hip told Canada’s story like no one else. Through their songs, they turned small towns into legends, hockey stories into folklore, and everyday moments into something bigger — something that felt like ours. As a filmmaker, Downie has spent his career exploring what makes a great story, and specifically examined how The Hip built a deep, enduring connection with Canadians through both their music and storytelling in his recent documentary, No Dress Rehearsal.

  “Telling Canada’s Story” is a keynote about why stories matter — how they define us, inspire us, and how they’ve built the fabric of our nation. Drawing from his experiences making No Dress Rehearsal, Downie will share insights on what made The Hip’s storytelling so powerful and how we as individuals, businesses, and communities can find our own voices, and why it’s important that we do. Whether it’s a make-or-break moment, an untold history, or a bold new idea, the stories we tell are part of a greater narrative, about ourselves, our communities, and ultimately, our country.

  This keynote is for anyone looking to make an impact — leaders, creators, and organizations wanting to connect with people on a deeper level. With personal stories, behind-the-scenes moments, and a call-to-action, Downie challenges audiences to think bigger about the stories they tell and the legacy they leave behind. The Tragically Hip gave us a soundtrack for Canada, now it’s time for all of us to write the next chapter and tell our own story.

• Secret Path

  When Mike Downie first heard the story of Chanie “Charlie” Wenjack, it was like an arrow shot through his heart. Haunted by the story, he and his brother, musician Gord Downie, vowed to find a way to tell it to the world. The result was their multi-media project, consisting of a music album and a graphic novel and film (with artist Jeff Lemire), that has captured the hearts and minds of Canadians across the country.

  Using Chanie’s story as a starting point, Downie takes audiences through the dark chapter of residential schools in Canada, and helps people to understand the importance of reconciliation with history and the need for Indigenous and non-Indigenous people to come together.

  Downie also explains his own journey on the “path”, explaining how undertaking the project has transformed him, and that “life’s most important moments are never a choice — they’re a force pushing you, and when you learn to trust the invisible hand on the small of your back, it will guide you into the great unknown.”